Healthy Living Initiatives
We also offer a series of healthy living initiatives for people living with chronic disease. Trained instructors lead these evidence-based programs that can help participants achieve an improved quality of life.
For more information about our healthy living initiatives, contact Lynne Zusi, Healthy Living Director.
Enhance®Fitness
Enhance Fitness is a proven community-based senior fitness and arthritis management program. It helps older adults become more active, energized, and empowered for independent living. Enhance Fitness has been nationally recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Department of Aging and the Nation Council on Aging.
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LIVESTRONG® at the YMCA
LIVESTRONG at the YMCA is a small-group program that helps adult cancer survivors reclaim their health and well-being following a cancer diagnosis. Through this program YMCAs are creating communities among cancer survivors and guiding them through safe physical activity, helping them build supportive relationships, and reducing stress – leading to an improved quality of life.
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Parkinson’s Disease Programming
Parkinson’s Cycle Program
This program is supported by a grant from the American Parkinson Disease Association MA Chapter. Research has shown that cycling, especially pedaling at a rate faster than your own voluntary cadence, has benefits for those with PD. The Parkinson’s Cycle Program at the Hampshire Regional YMCA is designed to connect the PD community while providing a safe place to pedal and build lower body strength.
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Parkinson’s Exercise Program
This class is led by personal trainers and incorporates exercises from an evidence-based program designed by the Boston University Center for Neurorehabilitation. It is recommended that participants first take a six-week introductory course before joining this continuation program. For more information contact Lynne Zusi, Healthy Living Director.
Healthy Weight & Your Child
Healthy Weight and Your Child is a 25-session evidence-based program for children with obesity. The program includes a family information session followed by 25 sessions delivered over four months. The family-based, weigh management program focuses on nutrition education and physical activity to encourage healthier eating habits and an active lifestyle to reach a healthy weight. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen, Director of Wellness and Community Engagement.
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Prescribe the Y
What if there was one medicine so powerful in maintaining and improving health that it could prevent or treat dozens of diseases, such a diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity? There is! Talk to your doctor about Prescribe the Y program and make physical activity part of your life and health care plan. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen, Director of Wellness and Community Engagement.
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